Amanda Downs
Chicago,IL
Summary
Expertise in patient assessment and treatment planning, with a strong focus on developing clinical protocols and improving care delivery. Proven ability to manage diverse healthcare teams and drive quality initiatives, fostering collaboration and enhancing patient care. Dedicated to leveraging relational skills to support team performance and program growth.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiology
Northwestern Medicine
Chicago, IL
04.2026 - Current
- Conducted patient assessments to determine healthcare needs and treatment plans.
- Coordinated healthcare team to establish and evaluate patient care plans, enhancing quality of care.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care strategies.
- Managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of various disorders and diseases.
- Educated patients on disease management and preventive health measures, promoting adherence and overall health.
- Assisted in developing clinical protocols and best practice guidelines, improving care delivery standards.
- Utilized electronic health record systems to document patient information accurately.
Lead Advanced Practice Provider, Interventional and Structural Heart
NorthShore University Health Systems
Evanston, IL
02.2017 - 03.2026
- Provide post-procedure care to cardiac catheterization laboratory and structural heart disease patients - including TAVI, mitral/tricuspid TEER, TTVR/TMVR, complex PCI, Impella supported PCI, PE thrombectomy/lysis patients.
- Collaborated effectively with consulting services, physicians, and ancillary departments to ensure optimal patient care.
- Demonstrated the ability to interact and work with consulting services, co-workers, physicians and ancillary departments to deliver patient care.
- Interpret laboratory data, cardiology non-invasive and invasive testing results to develop care plan.
- Developed and reviewed departmental protocols to improve patient management and optimize APP workflow.
- Facilitated quality and improvement projects to enhance patient care delivery and streamline departmental processes.
- Managed scheduling for 12-member APP team, conducted annual performance reviews, and led recruitment and onboarding of new APPs for interventional cardiology and electrophysiology teams.
- Oversaw time card management for APP team, ensuring compliance and accuracy in reporting.
Advanced Practice Provider, Vascular Surgery
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, IL
03.2015 - 02.2017
- Performed primary surgical procedures, including EVAR, carotid endarterectomy, lower extremity bypass, and femoral endarterectomy, contributing to improved patient outcomes.
- Administered comprehensive post-operative care for vascular surgery patients, ensuring seamless recovery and safe discharge.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments and evaluations in clinical settings.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
- Administered medications and treatments per established protocols and guidelines.
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiac Surgery
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago, IL
10.2012 - 03.2015
- Provide post-operative care to cardiac surgery patients: Care provided from immediate postoperative recovery through discharge. Proficient in care for patients in the intensive care setting including mechanical ventilation, intra-aortic balloon pump therapy, swan-ganz catheter management, inotropic and vasopressor support.
- Conducted pre-operative evaluations to confirm patient readiness for cardiac surgical procedures.
- Collaborated with consulting services, co-workers, physicians, and ancillary departments to optimize patient care delivery.
- Mentored new employees, improving their skills and understanding of workplace practices.
Education
Master of Science -
University of Illinois
Chicago, IL05-2012
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN12-2004
Skills
- Cardiology management
- Patient assessment
- Treatment planning
- Protocol development
- Quality improvement
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Problem solving
Certification
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AACN), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) license; IL Controlled Substance and APN license, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Affiliations
- Served as Co-chair of the Endeavor system wide APP Policy and Procedure Committee
- Served as preceptor for APN students at all levels of clinical rotations from University of Illinois at Chicago, Chamberlain University, Rush University & Loyola University
- IRB submission experience
- Member of the Illinois Society of Advance Practice Nursing, 2024-Present
- Member of American Heart Association, 2024-Present
- Received collaboration award from cardiology fellowship cohort 2019 and 2023
Timeline
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiology
Northwestern Medicine
04.2026 - Current
Lead Advanced Practice Provider, Interventional and Structural Heart
NorthShore University Health Systems
02.2017 - 03.2026
Advanced Practice Provider, Vascular Surgery
Rush University Medical Center
03.2015 - 02.2017
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiac Surgery
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
10.2012 - 03.2015
Master of Science -
University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University